Proposed California Law Aims to Reduce Loud Ads on Netflix

Are you tired of being startled by loud ads while streaming your favorite shows or movies? Well, California lawmakers are working on a bill that could turn down the volume on those obnoxious commercials. The proposed legislation would require online streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu to follow the same rules as traditional TV broadcasts when it comes to the volume of advertisements.

Senator Tom Umberg, who introduced the bill, was inspired to take action after his staffer’s baby was woken up by a particularly loud commercial. The senator has found widespread support for the proposal, with both Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature backing the effort.

The bill, known as Senate Bill 576, aims to bring streaming services in line with the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act signed by President Obama in 2010. This law limits the volume of TV commercials to match the programming they accompany. Although federal legislation has not yet addressed streaming platforms, Umberg hopes to fill that gap with his bill in California.

Despite the bill’s popularity among lawmakers and the general public, the entertainment industry, including the Motion Picture Association of America, has expressed concerns about implementing the proposed changes. According to opponents, streaming services may face challenges adjusting the volume of ads due to the real-time nature of digital files.

Regardless of opposition, Umberg remains resolute in his mission to spare parents with sleeping babies from the annoyance of loud ads. The bill is currently making its way through the legislative process, and its fate will ultimately be decided in the coming months. So, stay tuned to see if California’s efforts to turn down the volume on streaming commercials will be successful!